George Elokobi, crowned Colchester United’s player-of-the-year by the club’s supporters only last week, wants to mastermind a successful promotion campaign next season.

The U’s narrowly missed out on the play-offs this time around, despite Saturday’s 2-0 home win over Yeovil, but Elokobi believes that the Essex club can step up a notch to bring the glory days back to the Community Stadium,

The experienced centre-back, in his second spell with the U’s, was dogged by injury and indifferent form for much of his first 18 months with the U’s, following his return in the summer of 2015.

But the 31-year-old enjoyed a storming last six months of this season, and he wants the club to renew his contract – his current deal expires this summer.

“Hopefully we will all be back here next season, and hopefully I will still be here, because I am out of contract this summer,” explained Elokobi.

“This time last season, I was sitting in that same changing room, having not played for three months, having had a calf injury on-and-off throughout last season, from day one.

“I knew that I had to come back this season to prove myself. I had a few issues with the fans, because they wanted to see me back to my best, they had been disappointed. And I think I am back to my best.

“As I’ve said, it’s up to the club to keep me, because I’m out of contract come the end of June.

“I’ve done myself proud and done my family proud, which I have done every single day of my life, and hopefully when my kids grow up they will be proud of me.

“I want to be part of next season – you always want to be a part of something that is good.

“It’s out of my hands, but I’ve done well as a footballer this season. I’ve done my best, that’s all I can concentrate on.”

With regards Saturday’s result, and a 12th clean-sheet of the season, Elokobi continued: “It’s fantastic to finish the season on a high. We want to come back stronger next season, the club and hopefully me as well.

“It’s an achievement for this squad to get so close, given the young age of the squad and all the injuries we have had.

“The youngsters keep learning, and I keep learning. I’m like a fine old wine, I’m getting better with age.

“And I’m going to keep going until my body can’t keep going anymore,” added Elokobi.